On Jesus as the only way and Universalism

   In this post, I will once again have to address the topic of Jesus Christ as the only way.  It seems that, despite all the biblical proofs that those who believe on Jesus will be saved and those who do not will be damned (John 3:36, Mark 16:16), it seems that even Christians are too ready to doubt this essential doctrine because it is too harsh on their ears.
   Why do I say this?  Why do I uphold this doctrine?  Is it because I hate people? Is it because I feel like arguing for the sake of orthodox Christianity just so I can for once feel like I am right? I should hope not! I should hope tell the readers these things because I care about their soul, and their eternal well-being. If it is true that Jesus Christ is the only way to God, and those who do not believe on him will perish, then we must go out and tell as many people as possible about the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
  Let us begin by laying some biblical groundwork.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
 John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Mark 16:16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
 1 Thess. 1:7 - 9 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power
  These scriptures should serve to adequately prove that Jesus Christ is the only way to God. 
   Now let me introduce you to a certain book that seems to be very popular among Christians.  Written by Rob Bell, this book is entitled Love Wins: a Book about Heaven, Hell, and the fate of every person who has ever lived. In this discussion, it would be inevitable that this book is discussed. 
   This book begins by encouraging the reader to ask questions.  In the preface, before the first chapter even begins, Bell encourages readers to question preconceived notions, especially as pertaining to the doctrine of hell and eternal damnation.
  He says this: "A staggering number of people have been taught that a select few Christians will spend forever in a peaceful, joyous place called heaven, while the rest of humanity spends forever in torment and punishment in hell with no chance for anything better.  It's been clearly communicated to many that this belief is a central truth of the Christian faith and to reject it is, in essence, to reject Jesus.  This is misguided and toxic and ultimately subverts the contagious spread of Jesus's message of love, peace, forgiveness and joy that our world desperately needs to hear."
  Allow me to say a few things in response. His wording "a select few Christians" is misleading - all true Christians will be in heaven, not just a "select few" of them.  He protests the doctrine of hell, calling it "misguided and toxic", but what basis does he have to do that? If he is to persuade me that the doctrine of hell is false, he must to do so from the scriptures, not merely by using emotional appeal. Also, we have no right to call God unfair.  The Apostle Paul, speaking on an issue very central to this discussion, said this:
   "Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?" (Romans 9:19 - 20)
  Chapter 1 of this book has one purpose - to plant seeds of doubt in the reader.
  "Really? Gandhi's in hell? He is? We have confirmation of this? Somebody knows this? Without a doubt? And that somebody decided to take on the responsibility of letting the rest of us know?"
  Without a break, he continues the appeal: "Of all the billions of people who have ever lived, will only a select number 'make it to a better place' and every single other person suffer in torment and punishment forever? Is this acceptable
to God?" 
   Here he is saying that if the doctrine of hell were true God would be unfair.  He is doing so without any regard to the scriptures, and what he says reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the attributes of God.
   It seems to be that one of the major questions underlying the book regards to the reconciliation of two seemingly contrary attributes of God.  "How can a loving God also punish people in hell?", people say.
  We ought to have no problem answering this question. God loves us, but he cannot tolerate sin. Hence, those who's trespasses are not forgiven will not see God. But those who are covered in the blood of Jesus Christ His Son will see God, and have eternal life.
   However, instead of going to the word of God for the answers to this supposed conundrum, Rob Bell goes on to contradict the clear word of God.  He throws the reader into an array of confusion, confusing the reader on what one must exactly do to be saved, talking about Age of Accountability, and questioning whether an atheist who dies has no hope, etc. etc. etc.
    Having questioned the word of God to that point, he goes on to propose answers opposite to the word of God.  While I could go on and critique the whole book, I shall not, for the sake of brevity.
   Bell's conclusion, in his own words, is this:
 “At the heart of this perspective is the belief that, given enough time, everybody will turn to God and find themselves in the joy and peace of God’s presence. The love of God will melt every hard heart, and even the most ‘depraved sinners’ will eventually give up their resistance and turn to God."
    This is called universalism - the belief that everyone will, in due time, be saved. Is this a biblical teaching?
  Let us again turn our attention to the scriptures.
Rev. 21:8   But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Rev. 20:15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Matt. 25:41  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.
  In light of these terrifying proclamations pronouncing eternal doom for the sinner, what do we make of these scriptures?
  2 Timothy 2:4 ...Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Romans 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
  From these scriptures, we conclude universalism is incompatible with the Bible.  For it would take a rather large leap of the mind to try to force these scriptures to teach that.  One would have to argue that the verses about eternal suffering do not really mean eternal suffering, and that those who do not believe on the Son would one day see eternal life, in direct opposition to John 3:36. 
  As for 2 Timothy 2:4, it merely states God's desire for people to be saved.  Romans 5:19 likens the imputation of Adam's sin to the imputation of Christ's righteousness. Neither teach universalism.
   We cannot expect God's love to override His holiness.  God is loving, but he is also pure, holy, and just.  We cannot preach a God who is just loving, nor can we preach a God who is not loving and only just.  We must present the God of the Bible - the God who wiped out thousands of Israelites on multiple occasions for their wickedness, while also sending His Son to redeem us from the curse of sin.
   The Bible underscores God's love, and it also underscores God's justice.
Therefore I urge the reader to repent and put his trust in Christ if he has not yet done so.  There is coming a day when it will be too late.  Do not expect any mercy from God on judgment day, if you never had the free gift of salvation in your life. God's mercy is extended towards man now.  Unlike what heretics like Rob Bell say, His mercy will not be extended towards sinners forever. 
   Jesus is the only way to God.  Do not expect your good deeds to get you into heaven, nor live in sin now and expect Him to forgive you after you close your eyes in death.  
  Hebrews 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven?
  If you are a Christian, I urge you not to buy into these teachings simply because they make you feel more comfortable.  Christianity is not comfortable, and doctrines such as that of hell are offensive, but let us accept the whole truth rather than misusing our God-given intellects by explaining away all the 'uncomfortable' aspects of God's word.
    "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. " - Proverbs 3:5 - 7
    Footnote: I do realize that I have not discussed pluralism (the belief that all roads lead to God) and annihilationism (the belief that people cease to exist in hell). I may do so in another post ... we will see.